A non-A non-B hepatitis epidemic in a HB antigen-free haemodialysis unit. Demonstration of serological markers of non-A non-B virus.
One hundred and thirty six patients receiving haemodialysis in a HB antigen-free unit were prospectively studied over a period of 29 months for evidence of hepatitis. Twelve/one hundred and eleven patients who were dialysed in this unit for at least one month developed elevation of ALT which proved to be related to neither toxic hepatitis nor hepatitis due to any of the following viruses: hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis A virus (HAV), cytomegalovirus (CMV) or Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Therefore these cases were considered to be non-A non-B (NANB) hepatitis. In 5 patients the liver disease was of short duration, whereas in 7 others hepatitis had a chronic course with ALT remaining elevated for more than 6 months. During the same period, one/sixty staff members who were working for at least one month in this unit also developed presumed non-A non-B hepatitis. Serological markers of NANB infection tested by double immunodiffusion were present in 10/12 patients and in the one staff member.
D003428:Cross Infection / Q000276:immunology*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D006518:Hepatitis Viruses / Q000276:immunology*; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006757:Hospital Units; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis